Game Apparatus For Playing Toss Off

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for playing a game of Toss Off is provided which includes a pole having a generally tubular construction with a reduced diameter portion at one end and a platform secured to the pole opposite the reduced diameter portion. The reduced diameter portion of the pole can be engaged directly with the surface on which the pole is used, or can be releasably engaged with a stand having an aperture therein formed to be complementary to the reduced diameter portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 61/244,384 filed on Sep. 21, 2009, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for recreation and amusement, and more particularly to an apparatus for playing a throwing game with a throwing object, such as a flying disc or Frisbee®.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toss Off, as the name suggests, is a game that involves knocking an object off of a pole or post by tossing another object, such as a Frisbee®, at the object on the pole. The game is relatively simple, and involves a pair of two person teams, one or more Frisbees®, and two poles or wickets.

The specific rules for this game vary; however, generally each team stands opposite each other at a distance of about forty feet. In front of each team a pair of wickets is placed into the ground in a manner that allows the wickets to stand freely upright and independent of one another. Atop each wicket is a target (usually a cup, can or bottle). The teams take turns throwing Frisbees at the target atop the opposing team's wickets.

The object of the game is to knock the targets from their place atop the wickets with the throwing object, such as a Frisbee®. If the objects are struck and land on the ground, the throwing team is awarded points. However, if the defending team is able to catch the falling target and/or throwing object before they hit the ground, points are subtracted from the throwing team.

Some Toss Off games award points for other reasons. In one embodiment, a throw that passes between the wickets without striking anything results in points being awarded. Points can also be awarded if the throwing object, e.g., Frisbee®, is caught before it strikes the ground. Some rules stipulate that each player must have an object, such as a cup or bottle holding a drink, in one hand at all times, causing each player to effectively play one-handed.

Presently, the wickets or poles and targets used for this game are generally made with items found in one's home or garage. Any sort of plastic or wooden pole can be placed in the ground with some flat item placed or balanced on the top of the pole to serve as a platform for placing a target. This method of making a Toss Off pole requires a lot of parts in addition to a method of securing the pole in a vertical position. Such devices may be dangerous depending on the components used, may not be level, and are often not of a uniform height which impacts competition.

One game system that has been developed for playing a game of this type is the Polesh game set (www.polesh.com). In this set, the poles are formed from separable plastic tube sections, joined together to form the pole. The lowermost section of the pole includes a metal disc attached thereto as a base for the pole. The disc includes a number of holes therein through which a number of sakes can be inserted when the base is positioned on a soft surface, such as grass. The stakes hold the base and pole against the ground during use of the pole to prevent the pole from moving when struck by the Frisbee® or other throwing object.

However, in many situations it is desirable to play the Toss Off game on surfaces that are not soft like grass, which do not readily receive the stakes required to hold the Polesh pole stationary. Thus, when the Toss Off game is played on concrete, asphalt, sand or other similar surfaces, the base of the Polesh pole will not be able to sufficiently hold the pole stationary during gameplay.

As a result, it is desirable to produce and supply wickets or poles for use in playing the game of Toss Off that are of a standardized size and which are uniformly stable on any surface.

It is also desirable to produce wickets that are simply and economically produced from molded plastic or natural materials, e.g., wood or bamboo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that is specially designed for playing Toss Off and includes a first structure or wicket having a suitable height, and has a tubular structure with an apex and a platform. The apparatus also includes a base for engagement with the first structure to support the first structure on a support surface, such as the ground. The apparatus described herein is lightweight and omits all other components required for the effective use of similar structures known in the prior art. In one embodiment, the components of the apparatus are easily manufactured by a conventional molding process.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first structure may be comprised of plastic, metal or wood, but will omit all other structural components other than a tubular structure having an apex and a substantially level platform.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first structure may be comprised of multiple separable components or be a telescoping structure.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may include an aperture or contour adapted to receive a tag (or instruction set) on which one or more versions of game rules are attached for playing the game of Toss Off.

It is further desirable in embodiments of the present invention to include horizontal platforms that are fixedly attached to each wicket opposite the apex of the wicket which provide sufficient area to securely support a target thereon. This enables a bottle, can, cup or other suitable object to be placed on the platform as a target for the game. In this way, targets are more easily knocked from the wickets, resulting in more lively game play. Also, players will have more incentive to aim for the targets themselves rather than the wickets, which will result in less damage to lawns and a less frequent need for the realigning of wickets to the plumb position.

Numerous other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description together with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a platform of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a base of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a an isometric view of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a partially broken away, cross sectional view of a connector of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of an apparatus for playing the game Toss Off, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent wicket structures may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements.

Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary Toss Off pole 100 comprised of a reduced diameter portion or apex 10, tubular structure 20, and level platform 30. In the embodiment shown, apex 10 is pointed to facilitate driving of Toss Off pole 100 in the ground. In other embodiments, Toss Off pole 100 is placed into a stand instead of inserted into the ground (e.g., for use on concrete, asphalt, or other hard surface). In other embodiments, apex 10 is rounded or of another shape to facilitate inserting Toss Off pole 100 into the ground or securing into an optional stand.

In the embodiment shown, Toss Off pole 100 is inserted in the ground and adjusted until platform 30 appears to be substantially level. In other embodiments, Toss Off pole 100 also includes an optional leveling device (e.g., a spirit or bubble level) to ensure that platform 30 is uniformly level and stable.

In the embodiment shown, Toss Off pole 100 is hollow and is molded from a single piece of plastic resulting in a one-piece Toss Off pole 100. In other embodiments, Toss Off pole 100 may be solid or partially hollow and may be constructed by a molding process or formed from tubing or other pipe materials known in the art (e.g., PVC pipe). In other embodiments, Toss Off pole 100 is made out of another material, such as wood or bamboo. Toss Off pole 100 can be manufactured from any material which is sufficiently rigid to be driven into the ground, and can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as circular, among others.

In addition, Toss Off pole 100 may be comprised of more than one piece. For example, tubular structure 20 may be comprised of multiple pieces which are interlocked, screwed together or secured together in another manner to form Toss Off pole 100. In other embodiments, apex 10 is a separate component that is attached to tubular structure 20. In still other embodiments, the height of Toss Off pole 100 may be adjustable to correspond to the height of the players or to increase or decrease the difficulty of hitting the target.

FIG. 2 is a second exemplary embodiment of Toss Off pole 100 comprised of apex 10, tubular structure 20, and level platform 30. In the embodiment shown, Toss Off pole 100 further includes additional securing components 25 used to secure Toss Off pole 100 in a vertical position. In the embodiment shown, securing components 25 are tethers which are attached to tubular structure 20 and are secured to the ground using stakes (not shown). Also shown is target 32. In the embodiment shown, target 32 is a plastic bottle. In other embodiments, target 32 is a can, plastic cup or another item which can be balanced on platform 30.

In the embodiment shown, tubular structure 20 is comprised of two tubular structures 20 a, 20 b which are secured together. In addition, having multiple tubular structures also requires less packaging and decreases the amount of container space needed for shipping and as well as the amount of store shelf space required. In other embodiments, tubular structure 20 may be comprised of more or fewer tubular structures or may be telescoping which allows the pole to be collapsed to take up less space.

FIG. 3 illustrates a Toss Off game set which includes two Toss Off poles 100 comprised of apex 10, tubular structure 20, and level platform 30. In the embodiment shown, one Toss Off pole 100 further includes tag 35. In the embodiment shown, tag 35 includes instructions for playing Toss Off. In other embodiments, tag 35 may include other information, such as purchase information (for display in a store). In the embodiment, tag 35 is secured to Toss Off pole 100 through an aperture in tubular structure 20. In other embodiments, Toss Off pole 100 may have a contour adapted to receive tag 35.

A Toss Off game set may further include a disk, weighted or regular, used with Toss Off poles 100, an optional stand, an optional leveling device, an optional component for measuring the distance between the Toss Off poles (e.g., a tape measure), a component to store the items of the game set, and/or any other components which may be used as part of the game. In other embodiments, Toss Off game set may include fewer or more Toss Off poles (e.g., 4).

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of Toss Off pole 100 comprised of apex 10, tubular structure 20, and level platform 30. In the embodiment shown, tubular structure 20 is telescoping which allows tubular structure 20 to be collapsed when not in use. Also shown is a stand 40 which has aperture 45 adapted to receive apex 10. In the embodiment shown, stand 40 is molded from plastic, though other suitable materials can also be utilized. The aperture 45 in the stand 40 is dimensioned to releasably, but securely hold the apex 10 and structure 20 on the stand 40. In alternative embodiments, the aperture 45 can be formed with additional securing members or features, such as ridges, knobs or threads, among others, that are complementary to corresponding features on the apex 10 to facilitate the releasable engagement of the apex 10 with the stand 40. Additionally, the aperture 45 can be formed to have a depth greater than the length of the apex 10, such that the aperture 45 and the stand 40 receive a portion of the structure 20 in addition to the apex 10 to enhance the ability of the stand 40 to hold the pole 100 in a generally vertical orientation. The stand 40 may also include a separate opening (not shown) therein through which a ballast-like material can be added to or removed from the stand 40. This material can take the form of sand or water, or the like, to assist in maintaining the stand 40 and the pole 100 in the generally upright or vertical position. Alternatively, the opening into the stand 40 can be the aperture 45 which may have an open lower end (not shown) or a number of openings (not shown) formed in the lower end of the aperture 45 to enable the ballast material to enter and exit the stand 40.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stand 40 is generally cylindrical in shape, though other shapes can also be utilized. The bottom 50 of the stand 40 is substantially flat, such that the stand 40 can easily rest on various surfaces to position the pole 100 in a generally vertical configuration, without the need for any additional components to affix the stand 40 to the surface on which it is resting. However, the bottom surface can be formed with various structures (not shown) thereon that enable the bottom surface 50 to frictionally engage the surface on which the stand 40 is resting to enhance the ability of the stand 40 to remain stationary on the surface. These features enable the stand 40 to be positioned on any desired surface to orient the pole 100 generally vertically in a quick and easy manner.

Looking now at FIGS. 5-10, a fifth embodiment of the pole 100′ is illustrated. In this embodiment, the pole 100′ includes a number of separable sections 102′ formed of a suitable material, such as a metal, a plastic or wood. Alternatively, the pole 100′ can include a single section 102′. The sections 102′ are tubular in shape, though they may also be solid components, and the sections 102′ each have a hexagonal cross-section, though other cross-sectional shapes can also be utilized. The lowermost section 102′ is engaged with a base 104′, best shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The base 104′ includes a bottom wall 106′ and an upwardly extending peripheral side wall 108′ disposed around the periphery of the bottom wall 106′. A number of reinforcing members 110′ are disposed within the base 106′ that extend between the bottom wall 106′ and the side wall 108′ to provide additional strength to the base 104′. The base 104′ has an open upper end 112′, but may include a suitable cover (not shown) if desired. The bottom wall 106′ also includes a sleeve 116′ that extends upwardly from the bottom wall 106′, optionally around an aperture 118′ formed in the bottom wall 106′. The sleeve 116′ has a shape complementary to the shape of the sections 102′, such that the sleeve 116′ can frictionally engage the lowermost section 102′ to hold the sections 102′ in a generally vertical position with regard to the base 104′. In addition to, or as an alternative to the frictional engagement of the sleeve 116′ with the section 102′, other releasable mechanical securing devices (not shown) could be utilized, such as any suitable mechanical securing device.

The open top 112′ of the base 104′ also enable an amount of a ballast material (not shown) such as water, sand, or the like, can be placed in the base 104′ over the bottom wall 106′ and retained therein by the side wall 108′ to hold the pole 100′ in a generally vertical position while in use. When the pole 100′ is done being utilized, the base 104′ can simply be inverted to dispense the ballast material from the base 104′ in order for the base 104′ to be cleaned for storage for later use.

Referring no to FIGS. 5 and 6, opposite the base 104′, a platform 120′ is secured to the uppermost section 102′. The platform 120′ includes a generally flat surface 122′ and a sleeve 124′ extending downwardly from the surface 122′. The surface 122′ and sleeve 124′ can be formed from any suitable material, such as a metal or a plastic, among others, and the sleeve 124′ is formed similarly to the sleeve 116′ on the base 104′ to be frictionally engagable with the uppermost section 102′, though other securing mechanisms can be utilized with or in place of the frictional engagement. The platform 120′ also includes a number of reinforcing members 126′ that extend between the surface and the sleeve 124′ to provide additional support to the platform 120′. The surface 122′ of the platform 120′ is formed to have an area wide enough to support a number of different objects positioned thereon, such as a bottle 128′ or can, but omits any peripheral edge to the surface 122′.

Looking now at FIGS. 5 and 8-10, each of the sections 102′ can be joined to one another by various means, including mechanical means, such as a connector 130′. The connector 130′ is formed of any suitable material, such as a plastic or rubber material, and includes a central portion 132′, a stem 134′ extending outwardly from the central portion 132′, and a number of fins 136′ extending outwardly from the stem 134′. The central section 132′ is formed to have a cross-section slightly larger than the cross-section of the sections 102′ such that the central section protrudes outwardly between the sections 102′ to facilitate the proper engagement and disengagement of the sections 102′ from the connectors 130′ and from one another. The fins 136′ extend outwardly from the stem 134′ a distance approximately equal to the distance between the stem 134′ and the sections 102′, such that the outer edges 138′ of the fins 136′ can frictionally engage the sections 102′ as shown in FIGS. 8-10. Each fin 136′ also includes a notch 140′ formed therein. The notch 140′ enables the fin 136′ to be compressed around the notch 140′ in order to facilitate the insertion and removal of the fins 136′ and connector 130, from the sections 102′.

To play the game of Toss Off, the following rules are used:

Set Up

-   -   Two poles 100/100′ are placed 25-40 apart     -   1 bottle 128 is placed atop each pole 100/100′     -   Toss Off is played with 2 teams of 2     -   Each team chooses one pole 100/100′ to stand behind

Playing Toss Off

-   -   Players take turns throwing the object (e.g., Frisbee®) to knock         the bottle 128 off of their opponent's pole 100/100′     -   Players must stay behind their pole 100/100′ when throwing and         caching the object (the poles 100/100′ create an invisible line         to the sides of the pole 100/100′, the crossing of which is         considered goaltending)     -   If goaltending occurs by the team throwing the object, no points         are awarded to that team     -   If goaltending occurs by the team catching the object, i.e., the         object is caught before reaching the pole 100/100′, 2 points are         awarded to the team throwing the object     -   The catching team must catch the object before it strike the         ground to prevent the throwing team from scoring points     -   The throwing team must throw the object where it is catchable;         throws outside of the catchable area are considered a scratch         and no points are awarded     -   One hand of throwing and catching team members must be holding         another object (e.g., a drink in a bottle or cup) at all times         during gameplay

Scoring

-   -   Bottle and object caught by catching team—0 points to throwing         team     -   Bottle caught, but object dropped—1 point to throwing team     -   Bottle dropped, but object caught—2 points to throwing team     -   Both bottle and object dropped—3 points to throwing team     -   Either team dropping drink—3 points to other team

Various alternatives are also contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention. 

1. An apparatus for playing a game of Toss Off, the apparatus comprising: a. a pole having a generally tubular construction with a reduced diameter portion at one end; and b. a platform secured to the pole opposite the reduced diameter portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pole is formed from a number of sections.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the number of sections are separable from one another.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the number of sections are releasably connected to one another.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a stand releasably connected to the reduced diameter portion of the pole.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the stand includes an aperture formed complementary to the reduced diameter portion of the stand.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the aperture includes a securing feature that is releasably matable with the reduced diameter portion.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the aperture has a depth greater than the length of the reduced diameter portion of the pole.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the stand has an open upper end.
 10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the number of sections are interconnected by connectors engaged between adjacent sections.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the connectors include a number of fins frictionally engaged with the sections.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of the fins includes a notch therein.
 13. A method for setting up a game of Toss Off, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing apparatus for playing the game with at least one pole having a generally tubular construction and a reduced diameter portion at one end, and a platform secured to the at least one pole opposite the reduced diameter portion; and b. engaging the reduced diameter section of the at least one pole with a surface.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of engaging the reduced diameter section of the at least one pole with the surface further comprises the steps of: a. providing a stand including an aperture formed complementary to the reduced diameter portion of the at least one pole; b. placing the stand on the surface; and c. engaging the reduced diameter section of the at least one pole with the aperture. 